CAROLINE BREWTON
SPORTS
Feature Columnist For The Record Page 2A
Kaz’s Forecast
VIEWS Page 2B
DOWN LIFE’S HIGHWAY
HUNTING AND FISHING
Roy Dunn Columnist
Capt. Chuck Uzzle Page 5B
See Page 9A
H H H H H The Home Of Atlanta Falcon Matt Bryant H H H H H
The Record TheRecordLive.com
Distributed FREE To The Citizens of Bridge City and Orangefield
Vol. 56 No. 27
Week of Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Voters go to the polls on BCISD bond election Proposed bond questions arise and are answered Debby Schamber For The Record
Early voting began Monday and continues through Oct. 31, followed by the election on November 4th. On the ballot is a $25 million bond election for the Bridge City School District. The proposed bond is a result of nearly two years of discussions by administrators, directors and community members. Following the creation of the Community Facility Committee, the needs of the district began to come to the surface. The committee began by taking tours of the facilities, holding meetings, leading community meetings and by creating community surveys.
If passed, the $25 million bond will enable the district to build the Cardinal Complex and make needed repairs on existing issues. KING “We are excited for the community to have the chance to vote on the project,” said Mike King, BCISD superintendent. Currently, the high school does not have a regulation stage or practice facility for Theater Arts. There is not a facility that is designed for concerts, the-
ater and dance performances. The Cardinal Complex is planned to be a 28,000 square foot building. The building would include a lobby, restrooms, mechanical rooms, concession, auditorium, stage, back stage and dressing room.
The project is slated to be 22 percent of the total amount which is $5.5 million. As a result of the high ceilings in the auditorium the projected costs are higher per square foot. The theater, band, dance, choir practice and classroom
areas are 29,000 square feet. The costs is projected to be 21 percent of the total bond amount or $5.25 million. The athletic area of the Cardinal Complex is 27,000 square feet and is projected to be 20 percent of the total bond amount
or $5 million. In addition, there will be seven additional classrooms are 11,500 square feet. This is projected to be nine percent of the total bond amount or $2.25 BCISD BOND Page 3A
Laissez les bon temps rouler . . .
Early voting underway in General Election David Ball
For The Record
The first day of early voting for the November 2014 General Election seems to have gotten off to a respectable start. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Monday was the first day of early voting. Results from the Orange County Elections Administration office were as follows: Orange- 236 votes cast Bridge City- 289 votes cast Vidor- 253 votes cast Mauriceville- 89 votes cast Mail- 819 votes cast Out of Country- 4 votes cast Total- 1,690 votes cast Early voting locations are: West Orange-Cove CISD old administration building, 505 N. 15th St. in Orange on Monday, Oct. 20 through Friday, Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 25, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.;Sunday, Oct. 26 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 27 through Friday, Oct. 31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. First Baptist Church of Mauriceville, 11540 Highway 12, Monday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 27 through Friday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bridge City Public Works Building, 220 Nitsche, Monday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 27 through Friday, Oct. 31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Raymond Gould Community Center, 385 Claiborne in Vi-
dor, Monday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 27 through Friday, Oct. 31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some of the recognizable names at the top of the ballot among various other statewide races are Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis for governor. The lieutenant governor’s race has Republican Dan Patrick against Democrat Letica Van de Putte; Republican incumbent John Cornyn against Democratic challenger David Alameel. There is also a constitutional amendment providing for the use and dedication of certain money transferred to the state highway and to assist in the completion of transportation construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects, not to include toll roads. Locally, races that are challenged are Republican Brian Babin, a Woodville dentist against Democrat Michael Cole, an educator with the Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD for U.S. Congress, District 36. Republican Dade Phelan, a broker from Beaumont against Democrat Gavin Bruney, a Nederland anesthesiologist, for State Representative, District 21; Republican incumbent David Bradley, a real estate and insurance agent from Buna against Democrat Kathy King, an occupational therapy assistant from Port Neches, State Board of Education, District 7. Republican incumbent
Ross Smith’s
EARLY VOTING Page 2A
The Gulf Coast Cajun Association hosted their annual Cajun Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the VFW in Orange. Pictured above is Ken Walker of New Iberia, LA, National President of The Cajun French Music Association, Bridget Roberts of Port Acres, TX, Miss LeCajun National Queen and Rusty Benoit of Port Acres, TX, President of Gulf Coast Cajun Association. There were over 300 people in attendance to enjoy the music of Junior Hebert & The Maurice Playboys, pictured also. The band members are from SW Louisiana and SE Texas towns and played some traditional cajun music for all to listen and dance away the afternoon session. Food included Cajun Stew, Chicken & Sausage Gumbo and Hot Links. Fun participating in cake walks, silent auctions and live auctions that helped raise money for the group, with proceeds this year to benefit our US Troops. RECORD PHOTO: Janelle Sehon
Bridge City council extends BP agreement David Ball
For The Record
The Bridge City City Council approved a six month extension to the interlocal agreement with the city of Orange in seeking BP Deepwater Horizon restoration funding. The interlocal agreement is in regard to a consulting agreement with Tim Richardson to provide consulting services. City Manage Jerry Jones said their has been movement, but not in the process. “Everyone is still jockeying on the amounts. I suggest we should extend. This is about the regional wastewater plant,” he said. “We’re in a pretty good position.” At the October 14 meeting of the Orange City Council, an agreement was also extended
with Richardson for a six month period for consulting work related to the city seeking Bridge City Mayor BP DeepKirk Roccaforte water Horizon Restoration Funding for a variety of purposes determined by the city including environmental infrastructure improvements. The term of the extension will be Oct. 1, 2014 and expire on April 1, 2015. The monthly invoice of $4,000 monthly and $48,000 annually as approved in the original agreement. In other city business, the Bridge City Council approved
a resolution supporting passage of a Texas State Constitutional Amendment for the November General Election. The resolution provides increased funding for highway maintenance and construction. Jones said the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission asked the city to support the resolution. “It’s a way of ensuring there’s money for annual maintenance for state highways. The funding was cut by the federal government,” he said. In the city manager report, Jones said crews are still working on the street program, working on shoulders and shooting rocks. Crews are also finished installing flush-outs on more than 22 dead end lines. He added this will help with the recent brown water prob-
lems in the city. Furthermore, the flood insurance appeal related to new FEMA maps is still ongoing. The council adopted an ordinance amending the city’s personnel policy. Jones said the language in the policy was addressed and some issues in the policy not being used. For instance, there’s a section for evaluating employees every year the city does not do. A group recently met and went line by line over the personnel policy. Lastly, resolutions were approved adopting affirmatively furthering Fair Housing Policy and for amending the current Fair Housing Activity Statement-Texas form. Jones said the resolutions are required to receive grants from the federal government.
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